#codfish

Hello, do you have tome to hear the world of cod? You see, the Atlantic cod is one of the most popular food fishes in the world, but it is in danger. these mighty fish once dominated the north Atlantic, but their numbers have dropped massively due to overfishing. I will tell you the lord of the mighty cod so you too can become an evangelist for this magnificent fish.

(Image: an Atlantic cod swimming. It is a long fish whose widest point is just behind the head. Both the head and tail taper to narrow points. It has three dorsal and two anal fish, with small pelvic and pectoral fins. A single, curled barbel extends from the lower jaw. Its body is spotted brown and white, with a notable white stripe running down the side. End ID)

Gadus morhua is a bony fish in the Gadidae family of true cods. They are large fish, with adults typically reaching 1 - 1.4 m (3.3 - 4.6 ft), though there are record of individuals reaching up to 1.8 m (5.9 ft). Cod used tog et larger, but fishing has reduced the maximum size. Cod are long-bodied fish with a pointed face and a humped back that then narrows to the tail, forming a torpedo-shaped body. They have three dorsal fins and two anal fins, more that other fish have. The cod's mouth contains sharp teeth hidden behind prominent lips A single barbel extends from the lower lip. Atlantic cod have a prominent lateral line. The lateral line is a series of pores along the side that detect pressure changes, allowing the fish to read the movement of the water around them.

(image: a cod viewed from a more frontal angle, seen floating just above rocky sediment. End ID)

Atlantic cod are found in cold northern waters of the Atlantic ocean from the east coast of the United States and Canada, southern Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles, mainland Europe as far south as the Iberian peninsula, and north into the Baltic Sea and Arctic Ocean. They tend toward deeper waters along the base of the continental shelf, but can be found in shallower water as well. Cod are typicality found between 150 and 200 m (492 - 656 ft), but can dive as deep as 600 m (1969 ft). They are demersal, meaning they spend most of their time near the seafloor. They also prefer rocky seafloor to sandy or muddy. Cod are predators with a very wide diet that consists largely of fish and crustaceans, but can include molluscs, worms, tunicates, echinoderms, and comb jellies. Cod are also cannibals known for eating the young of their own species. Their barbels and lateral lines are useful for finding prey buried in sediment. Cod are shoaling fish, swimming together in large quantities. The largest (and therefore oldest and most experienced) fish scout ahead and seem to claim the largest and most varied share of the food. Even the smallest fish, who lag behind and get the smallest share of the food, benefit from being in the shoal as they get more food than if they were hunting alone. Atlantic cod are high on the food chain, with only large sharks and toothed whales being large enough to eat adults. In parts of their range, including the Baltic Sea, they are apex predators as adults.

(Image: a small shoal of Atlantic cod swimming together. End ID)

Cod reproduce seasonally, with the date varying based on the location of the population but usually taking place between January and May. For many, but not all, populations, the spawning ground is in a different area than a feeding ground, requiring a yearly migration. They are broadcast spawners, releasing gonads into the water and providing no parental care. Pawning occurs in batches, during which the female will release thousands of eggs for males to fertilize. Males compete for access to females by establishing dominance hierarchies and territories that they defend. When a female chooses a mate, they will ventrally mount each other can release eggs and sperm. The mounting ensures the maximum amount of eggs get fertilized. A mature female can release millions of eggs a year. The eggs and young larvae are carried by the current to nursery grounds. Larvae are sustained by a yolk sac for the first few weeks. Juvenile cod are vulnerable to predators and spend most of their time in rocky areas or amongst seaweed where they can hide. Cod become sexually mature between ages 2 and 8 (varying based on population and temperature) and can live for up to 5 years.

(image: a juvenile Atlantic cod. It is similar on body plan to the adults, but the coloration is different. It is a patchy brown and white, with brown stripes on the finds. End ID)

Atlantic cod are classified as vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN. Their main threat is overfishing. Atlantic cod are one of the most heavily fished species in the world as their meat is high quality and tasty. The wild cod population today is a fraction of what it was before industrial-scale fishing started, with some estimates placing it at 5% of historical numbers. In particular, the North American population underwent a major collapse in the 1990s. This led to a trophic cascade, with effects occurring all over the food web. The collapse led to the cod's prey animals increasing in population, putting strain on producers. Interestingly, many of the local ecosystems affected by the collapse are beginning to stabilize, with former prey species filling the same role the cod did. The North American cod population has not shown signs of recovery despite regulations and bans on fishing in the USA and Canada. The Greenland and European populations are more stable, but still threatened by overfishing. Many seafood watch and conservation organizations recommend you not buy cod to reduce the demand and help populations recover.

The Disco Fish

-Inspired by an ink series I did many moons ago. The human condition, performed and experienced by the head and mind of a fish